Important Stats
Maturation: New, charred, white oak barrels
Blending: Blended with honey liqueur
Age: Not stated, around 4-5 years
ABV: 35%
Price: $25
Overall Comments
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is perhaps the most famous and well-loved whiskey liqueur in Jack Daniel’s flavored whiskey range. I, personally, will always have a soft spot for this whiskey – it is warming and sweet and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Of course, like most flavored whiskeys, if depth, complexity, and refinement are what you are looking for, you probably won’t find it here – especially if you are a whiskey connoisseur. The reality is, though, that Jack Daniel’s flavored range including Tennessee Honey is not necessarily made with connoisseurs in mind. Instead, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey provides a sticky and sweet entry point to the Jack Daniel’s range.
The palatable 35% ABV, the same as the rest of the range, also allows novice drinkers to approach whiskey in a more delicate way. This can serve as a great gateway to exploring other whiskey styles. Who knows, perhaps someone will be drinking Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey one day and cask strength high-rye bourbons the next.
Whisky, in its earliest days, was often flavored to soften its rough edges, making it more palatable—much like what Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey does today. Its smooth, honeyed sweetness makes it an approachable introduction to whisky, offering a gentler way to explore the spirit’s character without the intensity of a full-strength dram.
For those new to whisky, it’s an easy and inviting starting point, bridging the gap between flavored liqueurs and traditional expressions.
How Is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Made?
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is crafted by blending Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey with a proprietary honey liqueur, creating a smooth and slightly sweet spirit. The base whiskey undergoes the same charcoal mellowing process as all Jack Daniel’s expressions, where it’s filtered through ten feet of sugar maple charcoal before maturing in handcrafted oak barrels. This process, known as the Lincoln County Process, softens the whiskey’s profile and enhances its signature smoothness. The honey liqueur is then carefully blended in, adding natural sweetness with notes of honey, vanilla, and a touch of spice.
Unlike some other flavored whiskies, Tennessee Honey is not simply infused but rather a balanced combination of whiskey and liqueur, ensuring the character of Jack Daniel’s remains at the forefront. The final product is bottled at 35% ABV, making it slightly lower in strength than standard whiskey but maintaining a rich depth of flavor.
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When Was Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Introduced?
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey was introduced in 2011 as the brand’s first flavored whiskey liqueur. The idea was to provide a sweeter alternative to Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 whilst still maintaining its signature character.
Honeyed Whiskeys – Acceptable?
Whiskey lovers and connoisseurs seem far less offended by the idea of a honey whiskey liqueur than something like cinnamon or chocolate. This is likely because the honey can enhance the natural flavors in the whiskey rather than overpower them.
For example, the natural vanilla and caramel sweetness that is produced by maturation in charred white oak casks can be complemented by the floral sweetness of honey. Honey feels like a nice extension, rather than an artificial addition, and integrates more seamlessly into the mix. You will also find a host of whiskey and honey cocktails, such as a Hot Toddy, in bartenders’ repertoires.
What Do The Reviews Say?
Predictably, the reviews for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey are polarising, to say the least. Whilst some absolutely despise it, others can at least appreciate the appeal that it has to those with a sweet tooth.
DemiReticent, on Reddit, sampled Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey four years ago, and…well, hated it.
Bottle Raiders is more forgiving, saying: “Overall, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey isn’t the sin it’s made out to be. If you like a sweet pour and don’t mind some quantifiable sugar in your liquid, along with a depressed ABV, this is for you. It’s sweet – it never won’t be — but if a sweet liqueur is up your alley, at least this one features some real whiskey. Caramel color is added, per the label. It isn’t great whiskey, but it is a great dessert on the rocks if you so choose.”
How To Enjoy Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is not necessarily something that is made to drink neat. In fact, all of the brand’s serving suggestions involve mixing the liqueur with something. With that being said, enjoying this chilled or on the rocks is perfectly acceptable, and will allow you to draw out that Old No.7 profile. Additionally, experimenting is key, in my opinion. Try it neat. If you don’t like it, try something else.
Why not try Tennessee Honey in a Bee’s Knees cocktail:
Instructions:
- Fill a mason jar with cubed ice
- Add 50ml Jack Honey
- Squeeze 25ml Lemon Juice & 25ml Orange Juice
- Top with 100ml Lemonade
- Garnish with a Lemon Wheel & Wedge
I like to enjoy Tennessee Honey with ginger beer or lemonade for a twist on the classic highball. Grab yourself a tall glass and load it with ice, give it a stir to chill the glass down if you can. Add in 2oz of Jack Daniel’s Honey liqueur, and then top the rest of the glass up with your choice of soft drink. For extra sensory fun, add a garnish of mint of lemon to the top of it. This is a perfect long drink in any type of weather.
